It’s not exactly surprising, but it doesn’t make it any less annoying: Kelvin Sampson refused to address the issue of sanctions today at his press conference. From the Herald-Times’ blog, the Hoosier Scoop:

Sampson had an opening statement and said that he wouldn’t discuss the violations because the review by the NCAA is pending.

He was then asked if the news has been a distraction. He said it has not been. He told the team Sunday what was happening. Since then, they have only been practicing and concentrating on getting better.

“My responsibility is to coach this team,” he said.

I then asked why he was able to discuss the violations on Sunday but not today and he said that we were getting off topic.

Sorry Kelvin, but your responsibility is to run a program whose fans, whether rightfully or wrongfully, have very high-minded moral standards for their competitive athletes, and your responsibility is to run a program that complies with standard and enforced NCAA sanctions. When you fail to do that, your new responsibilities include being open and candid with the public whose trust you essentially betrayed — you are publicly paid, after all — about your massive screw up.

To do anything otherwise is to fail those responsibilities, something Sampson seems to be getting awfully comfortable with.

A disclaimer: Do I think Sampson’s situation is that big of a deal? No, I don’t. That’s a topic for another post, one that will likely be coming tomorrow. But whether the situation is big or not, to totally dismiss questions about it — to pretend like nothing is happening, nope, nothing to see here, not at all — I mean, how dumb do they think we are?

If you want press conference highlights, head down below. More anger early tomorrow.

I am curious as to what the media would have liked to know more about? From my observation, there were phone calls made that violated the sanctions and/or NCAA rules as they stand. The phone calls that Sampson was involved in were of the “3-way” nature, and the assistant coach made too many calls. The law firm investigating, Ice Miller, is not sure about the number of the assistant coach’s calls because they could have been to a player’s father who acted as a coach, or this or that, whatever it was.

What more can Sampson say? The matter is in the NCAA’s hands now, and they will be issuing a punishment. If Sampson had tried to address any questions, I can imagine that the press conference would have turned into a 60 minute badgering session in which nothing positive for the program, or for the fan’s and player’s mental psyche would have come out. Anything Sampson said or commented on would probably have been a lot of speculation (i.e. “Coach Sampson, what do you expect the NCAA to do in terms of sanctioning on you and your team?’). What good for him or us could possibly come out of him answering that question? It would have been pure speculation and probably added about 100 comments to this blog. For now, I am content to take a wait and see approach. That said, I am curious as to what InsideTheHall believes Kelvin could have provided color on that wouldn’t have been complete speculation or hurt them further in the ongoing investigation by the NCAA.

I am curious as to what the media would have liked to know more about? From my observation, there were phone calls made that violated the sanctions and/or NCAA rules as they stand. The phone calls that Sampson was involved in were of the “3-way” nature, and the assistant coach made too many calls. The law firm investigating, Ice Miller, is not sure about the number of the assistant coach’s calls because they could have been to a player’s father who acted as a coach, or this or that, whatever it was.

What more can Sampson say? The matter is in the NCAA’s hands now, and they will be issuing a punishment. If Sampson had tried to address any questions, I can imagine that the press conference would have turned into a 60 minute badgering session in which nothing positive for the program, or for the fan’s and player’s mental psyche would have come out. Anything Sampson said or commented on would probably have been a lot of speculation (i.e. “Coach Sampson, what do you expect the NCAA to do in terms of sanctioning on you and your team?’). What good for him or us could possibly come out of him answering that question? It would have been pure speculation and probably added about 100 comments to this blog. For now, I am content to take a wait and see approach. That said, I am curious as to what InsideTheHall believes Kelvin could have provided color on that wouldn’t have been complete speculation or hurt them further in the ongoing investigation by the NCAA.

“Do I think Sampson’s situation is that big of a deal? No, I don’t. That’s a topic for another post, one that will likely be coming tomorrow.”

Thank you in advance.

David

I thought the athletic department had issued a statement previously that stated no questions about the investigation would be answered during the press conference (T Hutchens blog from a few days ago), so why is it a big deal when he doesn’t answer them?

And I have to agree with the first poster – you let them ask these questions and it will just open up a big can of worms and produce a ridiculous spectacle. I don’t know – maybe that is what people want right now, I hope not.

I don’t know what other coaches would have done had they been in a similar situation, but I doubt many would have addressed that ‘elephant in the room’ either. Maybe I’m being naive, I don’t know but I just don’t get what the big deal is.

David

I thought the athletic department had issued a statement previously that stated no questions about the investigation would be answered during the press conference (T Hutchens blog from a few days ago), so why is it a big deal when he doesn’t answer them?

And I have to agree with the first poster – you let them ask these questions and it will just open up a big can of worms and produce a ridiculous spectacle. I don’t know – maybe that is what people want right now, I hope not.

I don’t know what other coaches would have done had they been in a similar situation, but I doubt many would have addressed that ‘elephant in the room’ either. Maybe I’m being naive, I don’t know but I just don’t get what the big deal is.

I am going to have to agree with what E said. This is Sampson’s self-created problem and he should step up to the plate and answer questions. If the questions are ridiculous, he can simply say “next question.” However, any legitimate questions should be addressed. If he thinks this is all just going to go away by ignoring questions, he’s sadly mistaken. This is going to be a topic all season long, especially when the team goes on the road.

I am going to have to agree with what E said. This is Sampson’s self-created problem and he should step up to the plate and answer questions. If the questions are ridiculous, he can simply say “next question.” However, any legitimate questions should be addressed. If he thinks this is all just going to go away by ignoring questions, he’s sadly mistaken. This is going to be a topic all season long, especially when the team goes on the road.

I am going to have to agree with what E said. This is Sampson’s self-created problem and he should step up to the plate and answer questions. If the questions are ridiculous, he can simply say “next question.” However, any legitimate questions should be addressed. If he thinks this is all just going to go away by ignoring questions, he’s sadly mistaken. This is going to be a topic all season long, especially when the team goes on the road.

I am going to have to agree with what E said. This is Sampson’s self-created problem and he should step up to the plate and answer questions. If the questions are ridiculous, he can simply say “next question.” However, any legitimate questions should be addressed. If he thinks this is all just going to go away by ignoring questions, he’s sadly mistaken. This is going to be a topic all season long, especially when the team goes on the road.

I am going to have to agree with what E said. This is Sampson’s self-created problem and he should step up to the plate and answer questions. If the questions are ridiculous, he can simply say “next question.” However, any legitimate questions should be addressed. If he thinks this is all just going to go away by ignoring questions, he’s sadly mistaken. This is going to be a topic all season long, especially when the team goes on the road.

You sell Sampson’s intelligence awfully short if you honest believe that he thinks by ignoring questions this will all go away. I have to believe that is not the case.

As a person not involved in journalism, I ask again: What questions could he have answered that would not have required: A)A large amount of unnecessary speculation, or B)Sampson giving the NCAA more information than they already have.

The legitimate questions all revolve around so much speculation the cost of answering them far exceeds the benefits to all involved. The only legitimate question I came up with is the following: “What the team is doing differently to avoid situations like this in the future?” Then you get some BS answer about auditing, institutional controls, and so on.

You sell Sampson’s intelligence awfully short if you honest believe that he thinks by ignoring questions this will all go away. I have to believe that is not the case.

As a person not involved in journalism, I ask again: What questions could he have answered that would not have required: A)A large amount of unnecessary speculation, or B)Sampson giving the NCAA more information than they already have.

The legitimate questions all revolve around so much speculation the cost of answering them far exceeds the benefits to all involved. The only legitimate question I came up with is the following: “What the team is doing differently to avoid situations like this in the future?” Then you get some BS answer about auditing, institutional controls, and so on.

You sell Sampson’s intelligence awfully short if you honest believe that he thinks by ignoring questions this will all go away. I have to believe that is not the case.

As a person not involved in journalism, I ask again: What questions could he have answered that would not have required: A)A large amount of unnecessary speculation, or B)Sampson giving the NCAA more information than they already have.

The legitimate questions all revolve around so much speculation the cost of answering them far exceeds the benefits to all involved. The only legitimate question I came up with is the following: “What the team is doing differently to avoid situations like this in the future?” Then you get some BS answer about auditing, institutional controls, and so on.

You sell Sampson’s intelligence awfully short if you honest believe that he thinks by ignoring questions this will all go away. I have to believe that is not the case.

As a person not involved in journalism, I ask again: What questions could he have answered that would not have required: A)A large amount of unnecessary speculation, or B)Sampson giving the NCAA more information than they already have.

The legitimate questions all revolve around so much speculation the cost of answering them far exceeds the benefits to all involved. The only legitimate question I came up with is the following: “What the team is doing differently to avoid situations like this in the future?” Then you get some BS answer about auditing, institutional controls, and so on.

Larry Gwaltney

All of your questions will be answered soon enough. But there is nothing to be gained by Sampson constantly talking about this.

If he had, that would have provided fodder for Friday’s paper, and for columns on Saturday and Sunday.

I know you media folks like things dragged out as long as possible in order to provide you with material to write about, but Sampson’s primary job is to prepare his team for the season right now. Ultimately, he will have to answer to IU’s Compliance Dept. and the NCAA, and on that day you will have something to write about.

Larry Gwaltney

All of your questions will be answered soon enough. But there is nothing to be gained by Sampson constantly talking about this.

If he had, that would have provided fodder for Friday’s paper, and for columns on Saturday and Sunday.

I know you media folks like things dragged out as long as possible in order to provide you with material to write about, but Sampson’s primary job is to prepare his team for the season right now. Ultimately, he will have to answer to IU’s Compliance Dept. and the NCAA, and on that day you will have something to write about.

Brad

Maybe this is just a big hoax to get people to stop talking about the expectations of the team. Sampson and Greenspan don’t want the team getting too big of a head so they put together this little “situation” to take the attention off the team.

Maybe I’m just carried away in a little bit of wishful thinking.

Brad

Maybe this is just a big hoax to get people to stop talking about the expectations of the team. Sampson and Greenspan don’t want the team getting too big of a head so they put together this little “situation” to take the attention off the team.

Maybe I’m just carried away in a little bit of wishful thinking.

JB

There is no reason Sampson should comment on the situation as it is now. When the NCAA finishes their report, then a comment will be necessary(or maybe a good-bye), but until then Sampson did the right thing… for once.

JB

There is no reason Sampson should comment on the situation as it is now. When the NCAA finishes their report, then a comment will be necessary(or maybe a good-bye), but until then Sampson did the right thing… for once.

JB

There is no reason Sampson should comment on the situation as it is now. When the NCAA finishes their report, then a comment will be necessary(or maybe a good-bye), but until then Sampson did the right thing… for once.

JB

There is no reason Sampson should comment on the situation as it is now. When the NCAA finishes their report, then a comment will be necessary(or maybe a good-bye), but until then Sampson did the right thing… for once.

JB

There is no reason Sampson should comment on the situation as it is now. When the NCAA finishes their report, then a comment will be necessary(or maybe a good-bye), but until then Sampson did the right thing… for once.

knasmiley

First off it would be a monumental mistake for anything to be said about this situation before the NCAA has a chance to review it, for anyone not understanding that doesnt have the best interest of the IU program at hand. That doesnt mean you dont support them, its just common sense that NOTHING on record be talked about this, one misstep could OPEN up a WHOLE new can of worms, whether true or not and to RISK that would be DUMB.

I do believe that when the time comes we will ALL know what happened but to say KS is hiding things is silly, he is protecting IU and this program, nothing good could come out of this by talking to the media about an impending NCAA review of the program. Once the dust settles we will get what we so badly want, I think it is nothing more that mistakes that should have never happened and will never happen again……….

So be patient and support the team, they will RALLY around KS and this staff and imho put together an even better season than some of us suspect, the world against us attitude sometimes brings the best out of people and I fully expect that to be the case……….

knasmiley

First off it would be a monumental mistake for anything to be said about this situation before the NCAA has a chance to review it, for anyone not understanding that doesnt have the best interest of the IU program at hand. That doesnt mean you dont support them, its just common sense that NOTHING on record be talked about this, one misstep could OPEN up a WHOLE new can of worms, whether true or not and to RISK that would be DUMB.

I do believe that when the time comes we will ALL know what happened but to say KS is hiding things is silly, he is protecting IU and this program, nothing good could come out of this by talking to the media about an impending NCAA review of the program. Once the dust settles we will get what we so badly want, I think it is nothing more that mistakes that should have never happened and will never happen again……….

So be patient and support the team, they will RALLY around KS and this staff and imho put together an even better season than some of us suspect, the world against us attitude sometimes brings the best out of people and I fully expect that to be the case……….

kelin

I never understood that side of the media also…if they tell you up front they will not be talking about a certain issue…why do you still ask? I fall in line the rest of the group..this is a distraction enough and with DJ sitting there why continue to talk about this especially without Senderoff. He is right in focusing on the team. I would have done the same thing..said nothing for now….and after the NCAA rules then maybe I would address it to an certain extent.

kelin

I never understood that side of the media also…if they tell you up front they will not be talking about a certain issue…why do you still ask? I fall in line the rest of the group..this is a distraction enough and with DJ sitting there why continue to talk about this especially without Senderoff. He is right in focusing on the team. I would have done the same thing..said nothing for now….and after the NCAA rules then maybe I would address it to an certain extent.

Tom

There have been thousands of NCAA violations, both large and small. Can anyone remember a coach talking about them at a press conference while the NCAA oversight/investigation was still in progress?
Why should Coach Sampson be the first?

Tom

There have been thousands of NCAA violations, both large and small. Can anyone remember a coach talking about them at a press conference while the NCAA oversight/investigation was still in progress?
Why should Coach Sampson be the first?

Tom

There have been thousands of NCAA violations, both large and small. Can anyone remember a coach talking about them at a press conference while the NCAA oversight/investigation was still in progress?
Why should Coach Sampson be the first?

Travis

I agree with the majority here. Very little to be gained by answering any more questions. Enough has been reported and more will come after the NCAA rules on this matter. I normally really enjoy this blog for it’s analysis, but the negativity is becoming overwhelming. I understand your frustration with the matter, I don’t think any IU fan is sleeping well lately. But we need to start moving on and letting the process take place. If anything else comes down from the NCAA then we can start calling for his head, if not then let’s move forward. The season starts in just a couple of weeks and I would love to start reading about how practices are going and what to look for this season on the court.

Travis

I agree with the majority here. Very little to be gained by answering any more questions. Enough has been reported and more will come after the NCAA rules on this matter. I normally really enjoy this blog for it’s analysis, but the negativity is becoming overwhelming. I understand your frustration with the matter, I don’t think any IU fan is sleeping well lately. But we need to start moving on and letting the process take place. If anything else comes down from the NCAA then we can start calling for his head, if not then let’s move forward. The season starts in just a couple of weeks and I would love to start reading about how practices are going and what to look for this season on the court.

Travis

I agree with the majority here. Very little to be gained by answering any more questions. Enough has been reported and more will come after the NCAA rules on this matter. I normally really enjoy this blog for it’s analysis, but the negativity is becoming overwhelming. I understand your frustration with the matter, I don’t think any IU fan is sleeping well lately. But we need to start moving on and letting the process take place. If anything else comes down from the NCAA then we can start calling for his head, if not then let’s move forward. The season starts in just a couple of weeks and I would love to start reading about how practices are going and what to look for this season on the court.

Thanks everyone for their comments. We’re certainly not trying to be overwhelmingly negative. I think many of the questions raised are fair. This is certainly not an easy time to be an IU fan, but I’m hopeful that once the season gets underway, we’ll all be able to focus on what is taking place on the court rather than off the court.

Thanks everyone for their comments. We’re certainly not trying to be overwhelmingly negative. I think many of the questions raised are fair. This is certainly not an easy time to be an IU fan, but I’m hopeful that once the season gets underway, we’ll all be able to focus on what is taking place on the court rather than off the court.

Thanks everyone for their comments. We’re certainly not trying to be overwhelmingly negative. I think many of the questions raised are fair. This is certainly not an easy time to be an IU fan, but I’m hopeful that once the season gets underway, we’ll all be able to focus on what is taking place on the court rather than off the court.

Thanks everyone for their comments. We’re certainly not trying to be overwhelmingly negative. I think many of the questions raised are fair. This is certainly not an easy time to be an IU fan, but I’m hopeful that once the season gets underway, we’ll all be able to focus on what is taking place on the court rather than off the court.

Thanks everyone for their comments. We’re certainly not trying to be overwhelmingly negative. I think many of the questions raised are fair. This is certainly not an easy time to be an IU fan, but I’m hopeful that once the season gets underway, we’ll all be able to focus on what is taking place on the court rather than off the court.

ben Cooksey

This media feed frenzy is totally counter-productive for IU basketball.
IU has dealt with the problem and now the matter rests with the NCAA.
Lets drop it and focus on basketball?

Bobby Wilkerson said it well. “All coaches advertently or inadvertently make those mistakes,” Wilkerson said. “He hasn’t done anything other coaches haven’t done. They have a million rules. I think he’s a good coach. He’s a coach IU can grow with. I support him 100 percent.”

Right on Bobby!!!!!

ben Cooksey

This media feed frenzy is totally counter-productive for IU basketball.
IU has dealt with the problem and now the matter rests with the NCAA.
Lets drop it and focus on basketball?

Bobby Wilkerson said it well. “All coaches advertently or inadvertently make those mistakes,” Wilkerson said. “He hasn’t done anything other coaches haven’t done. They have a million rules. I think he’s a good coach. He’s a coach IU can grow with. I support him 100 percent.”